Remediation Methods that Improve Learning Outcomes and NCLEX-RN Success

Abstract

Session presented on: Thursday, July 25, 2013: Background: The National Council Licensure Examination, Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) is the qualifying exam to become licensed and practice in the Unites States. The Elsevier HESI E2 exit exam is used by nursing educators to predict success on the NCLEX. To date, there have been eight studies establishing the validity of the E2 as an indicator of NCLEX-RN success. To this end, many nursing schools have instituted policies for remediation based on student results of the E2 exit exam. The researchers examined the relationship between remediation methods, number of remediation methods, and requiring remediation to determine if there was an increase in post E2 scores. Methods: An ex post facto study was conducted to determine the effects of the remediation methods on subsequent E2 exam scores for nursing students in diploma, associate, and baccalaureate programs. A paired samples t test was performed to examine the mean E2 scores of nursing programs that required remediation with schools that did not require remediation. Further analysis was examined using repeated measures of the univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA).Compared in the ANOVA were schools using various methods of remediation and subsequent E2 scores). A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted in order to determine the unique contribution of each of the remediation types examined. Sample 57 nursing schools, representing 3272 nursing students, replied to the survey. Results: The results indicate that students who attended schools that required remediation had a higher mean E2 exam score than did those from schools that did not require remediation. The results further indicate that the students that used Evolve 3-day live review, applied on-line case studies, and used the Elsevier HESI online exam remediation scored higher on subsequent E2 exams. However, the lowest mean E2 exam score was found for those who were required to repeat the course as a form of remediation.